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Summary: A book of uncommon insight into the human experience.
Review: Mr. Irving, brings the reader into the lives of his carefully developed characters. One can not help but be drawn emotionally into the tramatic life of Owen. The story explores a range of human emotions from self doubt to anger and love and the depth of human experiences which generate these very emotions. The reader faces the trials and tribulations of what it means to be a friend to a special human being. John Irving makes all pause and weigh our true dedication to the concept of friendship.
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Summary: "Dickensian" MY ARSE
Review: Several times, I've seen people compare John Irving to Charles Dickens. This could not be further from the truth. Dickens wrote in a way that allows the reader to make his/her own discoveries about a character through patient, nuanced prose that is in no sense self-aware. Irving, in contrast, like so many popular contemporary authors, draws such conclusions for the reader, telling him/her exactly what to think. If I had the book with me, I'd dig up an example passage, but I'm talking about things like, "He was one of those people who has property X." To make matters worse, the narration from Canada was out of place and exceedingly awkward, and it even weakened the already ruined novel. Recommended for light entertainment only, and even that only for those who do not mind prose that is blatantly self-conscious.
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Summary: More than Scarlet
Review: I've just finished Owen Meany and have been mourning the end of the book at the office all day...This is a great and easy read. Please dive in. Many of the previous reviews have touched on Irving's allusions to Hawthorne's THE SCARLET LETTER which is certainly accurate. But this book is NOT about Hester Prynn. It's about FAITH. Regardless of your religion of choice or lack thereof, Irving builds on questions of faith and doubt throughout the novel which are essential for anyone struggling to understanding LIFE. God? Fate? Motivation? Chance? Divine Plan? Christianity aside, Irving weaves a wonderful modern myth which is difficult to put down. One more thing, my use of capital letters had nothing to do with Owen. Really. I think.
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Summary: complex, intriguing, masterfull
Review: I picked up was several indirect references to "The Scarlett Letter" first, the red dress, was like the red letter that hester prynne wore, then there is a popular, beautiful strong woman who becomes pregnant; the man who impregnated her does not come forward; the woman refuses to say anything about the subject and continues to hold her head high, much to the indignation of the town - and miraculously the woman manages to "win over" the townspeople; and finally, Owen's cousin being named Hester - obviously his mother couldn't be called Hester - that would be to obvious a reference - but having such a main character carry this unusual name conjures up the memory of hester prynne all of these things had me searching to find Johnny's father, by looking for a man who had the characteristics of Rev. Tinsdale - a man of faith, who was weak, spineless, given to suffer, and torture himself. Like rev tinsdale, Mr. Merrill supported Johnny's mother, and treated her sympathetically, and, like in the scarlett letter, the acceptance from the "pastor" seemed to pave the way for the eventual acceptance of the town. I felt that the author was twisting two familiar powerful stories to create his own modern masterpiece first - the scarlett letter and second the story of the Christ child this novel is like a modern day telling of both stories - with an intimate personal twist.
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Summary: Primitive
Review: Caught by the hype about the book, I started with great enthusiasm. After 100 pages I was still waiting for something worthy to follow, after 300 pages I began to suspect that I'm just wasting my time.. All problems, be it religious, political, human are approached at a high-school level, as if the author himself spent all his life in Gravesend . Most characters are depicted rather superficially. Feels like a book written by a bright college boy who shows promise but too young to take seriously.
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Summary: Priceless as a novel...teachable in parts
Review: A friend of mine turned me onto this book, and I've never looked back. Irving's character development is unparalleled by any author I've studied, both as an English major or as an English teacher. His unfolding of Owen is remarkable in that you, as a reader, are able to go through the journey of life with him and follow his unpredictable exploits. How Irving ties it all together in the end shows what a master he is. I teach a Literature of Vietnam course and use the chapter titled, "The Finger" as a way to introduce this hostile time in America. It's an excellent way to challenge young students to decide just how far they would go to avoid a war they did not believe in. I can honestly say that the oral reading of this chapter is one where every student is wide-eyed and focused on the prose. It is voted every year as the one passage they cannot let go. I also use it in an English I class to ask my students whether they feel they are disciples of fate or free will. Excellent book. My favorite of all time, and one I loan to everyone.
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Summary: An adventure no one should miss
Review: Memorable. 5 yrs later I can still feel the heat coming off that airport tarmac in Arizona. I can still feel my self in the back seat of that car looking out the front windshield between Owen & his service buddy as "we" drive out to that poor stark neighborhood in the middle of nowhere to honor and console the family who just lost their son in Vietnam. I can still visualize and feel the people in all their rude, crude alcoholic poverty. Still feel the heat.
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Summary: a joy to read
Review: This is the kind of book to read when you feel like things aren't so great. It renews hope and it makes you feel like you're part of something bigger -- that everything happens for a reason. It's just a little bit of inspiration, which is why it's so special. Give it to someone you care about so they can have wonderful memories too.
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Summary: very positive. encourages reading
Review: A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of the most meaningful and well-written books I (an avid reader and English major) have ever read. The intertwining details of the story show that John Irving is in fact a master of the imagination. I urge everyone I am close with (family members, friends, boyfriends, etc.) to give this book a try. Not one has ever been disappointed.
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Summary: mmmm
Review: he
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